Current State of Trading

I’ve never used rattle or any type of noise maker, I didn’t want someone to hear the noise and wonder if there was anything broken inside the box. If I’m shipping said beers, I usually send one less bottle than the box will handle= more packing material, and that bottle is an xtra anyway. I use packing peanuts on the bottom layer, you get great protection with less bulk and I think the peanuts help muffle sound. I sometimes do the sides as well. The ultimate is a double box that gives you a nice two inch cushion in between the boxes, they’re about indestructible, gives better insulation for beers you can’t replace at any cost, especially in cold weather, and completely silent. An xtra box costs $5-6 bucks or so depending on where and it’s cheap insurance.

 

What he was referring to is what several people have alluded to: adding noise can cause more suspicion than it is killing. I have been told by stores that they are worried that something is broke, and they will open boxes to investigate.

 

I've heard this said by a number of people in these threads, but the idea that USPS, FedEx, or UPS worry so much that the contents of my package are safe that they just have to investigate is laughable. These services often deliver dented/ripped/misshapen packages(often done by their own employees) all the time. Some packages are just naturally noisy or have loose items in them, but I've never heard of these services investigating a shipment of candy or mac & cheese or nuts and bolts. If a package is dripping or clearly wet from the inside then I understand having to see what is up, but short of that it just seems ludicrous that they'd have a need to look inside. I'm not doubting your's or anyone else's experiences, but this line of reasoning drives me insane when you see the way that the companies themselves abuse so many of their shipments.

 

Well it depends on the ownership as some of these are franchised. Some may care more than others. I had a guy a traded with in NJ I think that swears his boxes were getting locally hijacked because the contents were known. Then he’d get a notice of unauthorized shipment and contents destroyed. I had to ship to him into another town where he’d pick it up at a friends house. I had one box I sent to MN many years ago disappear with that notification. Funny it was a box of BCBS too, so whether it was hijacked or truly busted up I don’t know. But if anyone here has traded with me before you know my pack jobs.

 

From working in FedEx warehouses I can relay my experience that any sound a box might make is not able to be heard at all over the din in one of those places.
The person you need to worry about is the delivery driver, either the one that picks your package or the one who is destine to leave it at your door. And at that point its just about that personality. If they are anal about the alcohol shipping laws the sloshing may be a bigger risk, if they are anal about broken items the noise maker will be more likely to draw their attention. My guess is that next to zero boxes have been flagged for either noise and that the vast majority of intercepted beer is from a beer breaking/leaking due to the rough treatment parcels receive

 

I just traded with a guy from NJ on another site and he sent USPS, 5 bottles per small package, placed sideways. Was very obvious what was in it and delivered with no issues.

 

I’ve shipped somewhat noisy boxes and all went well, I think the ocd I have over noise is more me than them. Workers are in a hurry, it’s a bit noisy etc. I’ve received noisy boxes, I really think it’s a fluke if a box gets busted, or someone might be a thief if they find an illegal ship and keep it, i’m sure it happens. Shrugs, we do our best and hope for the best, the odds are lopsided in our favor.

 

USPS will always send what remains to destination even after they open and know the contents. I received one that had a broken bottle. They opened, repacked, put the entire box in a bag and included an apology note. They put the broken bottle in a small separate box so I could see what it was.

 

Not always. I had a bottle break and leak using USPS. After filing a missing package claim, I got a call from the local postmaster saying because they opened it and knew it was alcohol they couldn't by law deliver it or ship it back to me. I apologized and played dumb on the laws and he agreed to let my trader pick up the remaining bottles at the post office.

 

first instance I have heard of that occurring.

 

Me too and you can imagine my shock when I answered the phone. Fortunately this was a long time friend/trader and we both chuckle about it now.

I think someone mentioned it above, and it's been my experience as well, all carriers seem individualized by location/personnel. In this particular instance, it was a very small town post office with a try hard delivery driver that received the leaky box. Here in Chicago, they would've just delivered it I'm sure as USPS flat rate boxes in/out of O'hare routinely arrive beat up. Which is why I ship bottles UPS now.

 

Yes, definitely all comes down to the individual. I'm rural small town (1100 population). In my area FedEx is known to take boxes. (hub in Lebanon NH and a few in VT)

 

Thanks Darwin this was the point I was trying to make. You do what you want but actually I should have ragged on the other guy calling for noisemakers "common practice". I'm trying to help guide other traders on good practices to ship to make their lives more stress free and evade scrutiny. That's all.

 

Do you talk down to people in person? Bet not.

 

Shipping horror stories exist from all carriers

It's never going to be a blanket this one is good and this one is bad

I recently had a buddy in NY have a break in a box he was waiting on. They called him about receiving alcohol improperly.

Then shipped the box to Utah. And after many calls....never could get a straight answer. Box never made it to him. That was FedEx.

I have another friend who I send beer to semi regularly ....used FedEx every single time. Never had an issue even with a can that leaked. They live in adjacent cities.

Beer shipping is a gamble that mostly works out that seems some people are shocked when it doesn't. As much as it sucks to lose a box .....I feel we are fairly lucky it arrives safely as many times as it does.